Candidates for Executive Positions

ASI Executives work for the Senate in making your voice be heard. Three will be elected out of nine. Do you know who you’re voting for? Executives carry out essential duties for the non-profit auxiliary organization and serve as primary liaisons between the students and the university. They are expected to serve 20 hours a week and are paid positions.

Below are your 2017 – 2018 ASI Executive Candidates running for President, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of External Affairs! (Candidates are in alphabetical order by first name) If you have any questions regarding the Elections from March 28th to the 30th comment below or call the ASI Office at 559.278.2656.

PRESIDENT

Blake Zante: My name is Blake Zante and I am running for ASI President. I am currently a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and a student in the Smittcamp Family Honors College majoring in Political Science, with a minor in General Business. Having already served as the Executive Vice-President of ASI, I hope to use my experience to act as a voice of effective change for the Fresno State student body. I plan to develop a clear channel of communication for students on campus, and represent their concerns in a way that will improve their collegiate experience. As a liaison between upper administration and students, I hope to foster a greater sense of community and increase involvement as well as opportunities for students at Fresno State. Given my extensive background and involvement at Fresno State, I will develop a more accessible connection and positive relationship between students, ASI and administration.

Cecilia E. Ruesta: My name is Cecilia Ruesta originally from Lima, Peru, whom recently became a proud U.S. citizen last year. I have a B.A. in Women’s Studies and a B.S. in Criminology. Currently I am a graduate student in the MFCC program, where my goal is to become a professional therapist to help my community here in the Central Valley. My involvement as a student organizer and providing leadership in different clubs and organizations, has led me to understand the importance of using my voice to create change. We defeated the proposed “Student success fees” back in 2014. As a student, I’m concerned about the lack of funding the CSU is experiencing, the unease students are feeling due to the current political climate, and the need to bring inclusiveness & diversity into “action” on our campus. For these reasons and more, I want to become the president of ASI, to work together.

John G. Richardson: If you’re reading this then it is NOT Too Late. Today, you and other students are busier than ever. You make the tough decisions like when to study, how many work hours to take on, and of course, what to wear to Coachella (btw, how about that lineup?! Travis Scott, Beyonce, AND Kendrick? Wow!) Seriously though, you won’t just be voting for OR against (hopefully) an $80Million Playpen structure, the so-called “Bold New U”, you’ll be voting for your Legacy! Imagine this: You are new freshman and learn that, 4 years priors, students voted to increase YOUR FEES by $400. Might you feel sold out, disappointed? March 28th is NOT about who should be ASI president, it’s about our legacy and if we really wish to be the class remembered for straddling students with more fees. -John Richardson, BIO major. If Elected, I will reject the free yellow parking permit.

VP of FINANCE

Cam Patterson:We all do better when we work together. Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more. I ran for ASI President last year and came up short by 50 votes; but the day I fear failure more than I desire to make a difference here on campus is the day I’ve given up. I haven’t given up on you, and I hope you haven’t given up on me. We didn’t come to Fresno State to fear the future; we came here to shape it. Let us work together to reduce crime, and make every single student feel safe. Let us transform campus into a place where we can express our ideas freely without fear of retribution. Let’s redefine how student government can truly be for you and by you. Your voice matters to me. You matter to me. Let’s succeed together.

Epifania Mendoza: Involvement with student governance began with my service as Director of Finance for the Bakersfield College Student Government Association. It provided the opportunity to understand the multifariousness that involves campus, district, and association budgets and general operations. It further allowed incorporation to my studies in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Accounting. Moreover, an issue that faces many associated student organizations are prolongation to sustainable methods (both internally and externally). Another is for efficiently using ASI funds to innovatively enhance the student body initiatives and experiences while optimizing internal operational expenses, wherein transparency and clarity is constantly sought for. It takes showing the student body, through campus inclusion activities, that we are all one together— students achieving academic pursuits despite differences in experiences and backgrounds. My involvement in Beta Alpha Psi and my knowledge in both finance and student government demonstrate my qualifications for this position. Go Dogs!

VP of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Demi B. Wack: My name is Demi Wack and I am running for the position of Vice President of External Affairs. I am currently on the Council of Presidential Scholars in the Smittcamp Family Honors College, an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity and a committee member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity. Alongside these commitments, I am majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. As VP of External Affairs, I want to create an atmosphere of openness that will encourage students to feel comfortable vocalizing their individual and collective concerns. If elected, I will work to protect and expand the rights of each and every member of our greater college FSU community. Above all, I hope to help foster the development of a positive school environment in order to excite students and encourage further participation. Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy.

Ivana Ruggiero: Bulldogs! Allow me to be your voice. My name is Ivana Ruggiero and I’m running to represent you as your Vice President of External Affairs. I’m not your typical candidate with years of experience in ASI; however, I have the passion, drive, and determination to give the power back to the students. My goal is to create a sense of inclusion and awareness. I want every person at this school to feel like their opinions matter. I want our school’s greatness to not be confined to the walls of our classroom, but to expand into our everyday lives. We need to show our surrounding communities our Bulldog pride! With your support, I plan on working on behalf of our student body to speak to our legislatures and lobby for programs that further our efforts towards academic achievement and accessibility. Eliciting change starts with our voice. Go Bulldogs

Manwinder Singh: When I was younger I saw this Apple commercial on TV it had images of Pablo Picasso, MLK, and Mahatma Gandhi. It ended with a quote from Steve Jobs “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” My Name is Manwinder Singh I would like to run for Vice President of External Affairs. I’m a local resident of Fresno and currently majoring in Health in pursuit of law school. My leadership experience goes back to being apart of Associated Student Body in high school, as well as being a manager at a fast food restaurant and bistro, head volunteer at a hospital, camp counselor, holding multiple positions in my fraternity, and a trainer at my current job. My main goal is to make a difference for the better for everyone at Fresno State as well lead charge in more technological.

Monserrath Sanchez: I am Monserrath Sanchez and I am dedicated to running for VP of External Affairs to represent our student body. I am currently a sophomore pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration. One of the key issues I want to address is the ensurement of accessible education for all students, regardless of their individual identities. I will push for affordable tuition and more educational leadership programs. It will be my goal to hear and voice any current concerns or issues that the student body is experiencing. I hope to increase the transparency between ASI and the student body in an effort to facilitate a campus inclusive of all students. Together we can fight for students, celebrate diversity, and keep Fresno State accountable. I hope you’ll take this journey with me and embody our Fresno State motto: Distinction, Diversity, and Discovery.

For more information or any questions, please call the ASI Office at 559.278.2656 or comment below!